Side-delivery rake



June 22, 1954 c. B. RlCHE Y SIDE DELIVERY RAKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 25, 1951 C. B. RICHEY SIDE DELIVERY RAKE June 22, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23, 1951 *1NVENT0R.

czmPayci a. Ava/6r ATTOR/Vf) June 22, 1954 c. B. RICHEY k 2,681,543

SIDE DELIVERY RAKE Filed Feb. 23, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet, 3

ATTORNEY Patented June 22, I954 SIDE-DELIVERY RAKE Clarence B. Richey, Royal Oak, Mich., assignor,. by =mesne assignments, to Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application February 23, 1951, Serial Noam-.442

6 Claims. 1 1 This inyentionqrelates; to an improved side de-,

1V6 constit tesan mprcvement ever, the subject matte if gbpendin'g application Serial No. 6,"30 5 filed DecemloerSI, 1949, now Patent No. actress, granted June 16, 1953.

tithe arious implements utilized. for raking an def) siting a crop in a Windrow, the side de- 'liveryrake is probably the best known and best {liked for such purpose.- This type of implement is readn hitched to a tractor whereby the imple- 'ment istowed to the field. and can be promptly "utilized for gathering the crop with .a minimum 'of operator eilort. Nearly all side delivery rakes are relatively large implements and the frames of such implements have been relatively heavy and cumbersome, hence adding considerable unneces sary weight to the implement which not only is deleterious in the field but adds unnecessarily to the cost of the implement.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an. improved side delivery rake having a :light rigid frame which eifects' a substantial saving in the weight of the implement while providing the necessary strength to withstand the hard usage imposed upon such an implement and the necessary adjustments for all types of operation and terrain.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved crop stripper for a side delivery rake.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved power transmission arrangement for a side delivery rake.

The specific nature of this invention, as well as other objects and advantages thereof, will become apparent to thoseslrilled in the art from the following. detailed description; taken in conjunction with the attached sheets of drawings on which, by way of preferred example only, isillustrated oneyembodiment of this invention.

n thedrawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the side delivery rake.

Fig.2 is an elevational view encompassed generally by the plane 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view encompassed generallyhy the plane 33.

Fig. 4 is a detailed view showing the mounting of the side delivery rake on the trailing draft links of a tractor of well-known make and illustrating the connection of. the driving mechanism ofsuch rake with the power-take-ofi shaft of the tractor.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view'taken along the plane 5 5 of Fig. -1.

ake As to some .aspects,;gthis application.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of a portion of the. improved crop stripper showing the details of. construction of such crop strippen.

Fig. 7 isan enlarged detailed sectional view taken along the plane 'l--'l of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary planv view encompassed by the plane 88 of Fig. 3.

As shown on the-drawingsz.

The improved side delivery rake constructed in accordance. with this invention is best shown in Fig. 1 and comprises a main frame 10 having on each side thereof outwardly projecting arms l5 and 20 which rotatably mount a so-called raking drum 30. Forwardly of, the raking drum 30 and parallel therewith axcrop stripping device 40 is rotatably supported by arms [5 and 2G. The raking drum and the crop stri per are rotated by a power, transmission drive indicated generally by the numeral 59. Frame 10 is of tubular construction and. as viewed in Fig. 1 isof generally U-shaped configuration in a horizontal plane and hasdepending ends, la and Illb produced by bending the ends of such U-shaped frame downwardly as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In the extreme lower end portion of the downwardly turned end [0b of frame 10 there is press fitted a sleeve H which has an interiorly threaded bore l-la. An exteriorly threaded sleeve l2 cooperates in threaded relationship. with the fixed sleeve H for a purpose to be presently described. A caster wheel or frame transporting wheel l3 is rotatably supported within a fork. M by a transverse bolt l6. Fork I l has a vertical stem portion I ia which fits within the bore of sleeve I2 in bearing rela tionship. A collar Mb secured as by a screw its to the upper end of stem portion Ma abuts the upper end of sleeve l2 to prevent downward displacement of the fork l4. Fork HE is angularly disposed rearwardly. relative to the stem portion as best shown. in Fig. 2 and thebottom of threaded sleeve l2 rests on an angle member l'l welded to. the top of fork I4 to provide a suitable bearing for the bottom of such sleeve. A horizontal handle [8 is secured by welding to the lower end of sleeve l2, thus by rotatingsuch handle, sleeve I 2is vertically adjusted for varying the elevation of frame I0 and hence the working height of the rake. A look nut It surrounds sleeve 12 and a handle lila secured by welding thereto permits turning such nut tightly against the end surface of downwardly bent frame portion lfib to thereby lock sleeve l2 in a desired positionof adjustment. A second caster or ground transporting wheel 2| is similarly mounted in the V are constructed of plate material.

depending end portion Illa of frame l0. As the construction of such mounting is identical for wheel 13, further description thereof is believed unnecessary.

The bight portion lilo of frame vH) has a pair of oppositely disposed arms 22 secured thereto by welding in depending relationship. Arms 22 Each arm 22 has a central vertical web portion 22a and oppositely directed flange-like portions 22b and 220. Web 22a and flanges 22b and 22c taper in width downwardly as best shown in Fig. 3. A horizontal pin 23 is secured to the web portion 22a by riveting or welding.

As was previously mentioned, a tractor 24 of well-known make, having a pair of laterally spaced, power operated draft links 25, is preferably utilized for powering the side delivery rake of this invention. Draft links 25 are pivoted as at 26 to the rear axle housing 27 of tractor 24 and are vertically lifted by a pair of rocker arms 28 secured to the ends of a transverse rock shaft 29. Rock shaft 29 is in turn rotated by a built-in hydraulic mechanism (not shown). Rocker arms 28 are respectively connected to draft links 25 by a pair of connecting links 3|. Tractor 24 is also provided with a top link 32 which is pivoted as at 33 to a rocker member 34 pivotally secured to the top of tractor axle housing 21 as by a pin 35. The rear end of top link 32 is pivotally mounted by a pin 33 between a pair of forwardly projecting transversely spaced lugs Hld which are secured by welding to the bight portion We of the rake frame, as best shown in Fig. 1. The trailing ends of draft links 25 are provided with conventional universally swiveling joints 25a which are apertured so that such trailing ends may be mounted on the horizontal pins 23 provided on the lower ends of arms 22. Thus the front end of frame It is carried on the power operated draft links of the tractor so that such end may be conveniently elevated or lowered to effect limited vertical adjustment of the raking drum 3t relative to the ground as will be later explained.

Raking drum 30 is rotatably supported between arms 15 and 26. Arm I is of tubular construction and is welded to the depending end portion lb of frame is and the joint is reinforced by an arcuately shaped plate a respectively welded at its ends to the arm l5 and depending end por tion lilb. Arm iii is disposed generally horizon tally relative to frame id, as best shown in Fig. 2, but, however, has an end portion 55?) which is bent forwardly as best shown in Fig. 1 and also slopes upwardly as shown in Fig. 2. Arm 2!! is also of tubular construction and is welded to the left hand arm of U-shaped frame NJ as shown in Fig. 1. Arm is angularly disposed relative to such arm portion of frame ill as shown in Fig. 1 and is substantially horizontally disposed. A reinforcing arcuate gusset-like plate 36 is respectively welded at its ends to arm and frame It to reinforce the connecting point of such arm to such frame. Arm 2% has a downwardly bent end 29a which is disposed at right angles to the horizontal portion of such arm. A transverse angle iron member 31 is welded to the bottom end of arm 20 as shown at 31c and such angle member extends obliquely and horizontally from such arm for connection as by welding to the left hand depending arm 22 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Arms l5 and 28 respectively support rake tooth bar supporting discs 38. Each disc 38 is total;-

ably journaled on a stub axle 39 secured as by welding within suitable apertures in each of the arms l5 and 29. Stub axles 39 are so disposed that the discs 38 will be disposed in parallel relationship, but with their axes offset, as best shown in Fig. 1. A plurality of rake tooth bars 3 311 are respectively rotatably secured at their ends to discs 38 by bolts 3%. Each of the rake tooth bars a has a plurality of conventional rake teeth 4! secured thereon in axially spaced relationship. Rake teeth 4| have an arcuate spring portion Ma and a depending tine portion Mb. The arcuate spring portion Ma terminates in an eye die and through such eye a bolt 42 is inserted which likewise passes through aligned apertures in tooth bars 39a, to secure the rake teeth 41 thereto.

Raking drum 3D is rotated by a drive transmission arrangement to be later described. A

crop stripper is provided for stripping any of a the crop carried over by the raking drum 3i! and to prevent clogging of such raking drum. Crop stripper 40 comprises a plate member bent into a Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration as best shown in Fig. 6 and symmetrically disposed relative to the axis of rotation. Thus there is formed edge flanges 48a and 2-01) on such member. A U- shaped strap member 43 is secured to each end of stripper 43 by a plurality of rivets 43a. Each U-shaped strap member 43 is so disposed on the ends of strap ill so that the bight portion thereof centrally bisects the longitudinal axis of the crop stripper. A disc M is secured to each of the U-shaped strap members by a pair of bolts 44a and each of the discs 44 has an axial stub axle t5 projecting outwardly therefrom. The right hand stub axle t5 as shown in Fig. 1 is journaled in a bracket E511 dependingly secured to the forwardly and upwardly sloped end portion [51) of arm [5. The other stub axle provided in the left hand end of crop stripper M! is journaled in a plate-like bracket .6 welded to the transverse angle iron member 31 as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. Thus crop stripper 4D is disposed with its axis generally parallel to the axis of raking drum 3%. Stub axles 15 respectively mounted in arm l5 and on the angle member 3! are so positioned as to place the peripheral path of crop stripper 48 adjacent to the peripheral path of raking drum 38 so that any adhering crop may be readily stripped from the tines dlbof raking teeth ll by the crop stripper :10 as the raking drum rotates.

Both the crop stripper 4t and the raking drum 30 are power driven by suitable connection to the power-take-off shaft 47 of tractor 24.. The power transmission arrangement will now be described. A depending guard plate 48 is secured to angle iron member 31 by a plurality of bolts 48a. Plate 43 extends beyond angle member 31 to a point substantially centrally of the two hitch pins 23. A pulley mounting bracket 49 of angle iron construction is supported between the depending arms 22. Bracket 49 is of U- shaped construction and is horizontally disposed as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3; the ends of the arms of such bracket are respectively secured to the lowermost ends of depending brackets 22 as shown at 49a and 491). One end of bracket 49 rests on top of angle member 31 as shown in Fig. 3 and bracket 49 is arranged substantially parallel with such angle member. A pulley mounting bracket 58 of substantially rectangulal plate construction is mounted in de- Further,

pending relationship to the" bight" portionof bracket 49'. Bracket 55 has a pair of-longitudinally disposed slots 50a through which a pair of transverse bolts 5| are respectively inserted to secure such bracket to the bight portion 49. Slots 56a permit limited longitudinal adjustment of such bracket for a purpose to be later described. Bracketifi has a lug 52 welded to the right hand side thereof as shown in Fig. 3 and a. similar lug 53 is welded to the bight portion of bracket 49 opposite lug 52 and spaced therefrom. A bolt 54 insertable through aligned holes in lugs 52 and 53 provide a convenient means for effecting longitudinal movement of bracket 50. A look nut 54a enables bolt 54 to be locked in any position of desired adjustment.

A power driven pulley 56 is secured to a shaft (not shown) which is journaled in a bearing 51 which is secured to mounting bracket 59 as by welding. The tractors power-take-off shaft is connected to pulley 56 by a telescoping shaft 51. Telescoping shaft 5's has universal joints 51a and 511) respectively provided on its ends to permit substantial misalignment of pulley 55 with power-take-ofi shaft 57 as when frame In is raised by the power-lifted draft links 25. Disc 38 has an annular V-shaped groove 38a provided on the back surface thereof as best shown in Fig. l and a belt 58 connects pulley 56 with the left hand disc 33. Belt 58 is likewise trained over a belt tightening pulley 59 rotatably mounted on a shaft fill supported by an inverted U-shaped bracket 8!. Bracket 6| has an integral boss Bla provided on the top of the bight portion of such bracket as shown in Fig. 7 and a threaded stud 62 secured to boss em projects vertically upwardly and passes through a horizontally disposed lug 63 welded to the arm adjacent the reinforcing gusset 36. A pair of lock nuts 62a secure stud 62 in a desired position of adjustment. Shaft to in bracket 6] also mounts a second pulley 54. Between the left hand end of crop stripper 4i] and the bearing bracket 46, a pulley 65 is mounted on stub axle 45. A belt 66 connects pulley $4 with pulley 65 whereby crop stripper 49 is rotated. Since pulleys 59, 64 and 65 are all much smaller than disc 33 the crop stripper All is rotated much faster than the raking reel. Belt 56 is preferably crossed to rotate crop stripper ie in the opposite direction to that of the raking drum 30.

From the above description it is clearly apparent that there is here provided a side delivery rake of improved construction. Not only is the frame of this improved side delivery rake of simplified construction, but such frame is rugged and relatively simple to make which thereby not only reduces the manufacturing cost but increases the useful life of such frame. adjustment of the elevation of the raking drum is readily effected by readily adjusting the height of the caster wheels relative to the frame end portion. Lastly, the crop stripper and the drive therefor have been greatly simplified and improved.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a side delivery rake for use with a tractor having power-liftedhitch links, aframe comprising a unitary piece of tubing bent into a generally U-shaped configuration in a horizontal plane and having its bight portion disposed forwardly, the trailing ends of said tubing being deformed downwardly, a pair of wheels respectively mounted on said trailing ends, a pair of spaced brackets secured to said bight portion of said tubing, and'hitch points on said brackets for connecting said frame to the tractor powerlifted hitch links, whereby the transporting height of the rake is controllable by said hitch links.

2. In a side delivery rake for use with a tractor having power-lifted hitch links, a frame comprising a unitary piece of tubing bent into a generally U-shaped configuration in a horizontal plane and having its bight portion disposed forwardly, the trailing ends of said tubing being deformed downwardly to a generally vertical position, a wheel mounting threadably secured in each of said trailing ends for vertical adjustment relative thereto, a wheel journaled on each Wheel mounting, a pair of spaced brackets secured to said bight portion of said tubing, and hitch points on said brackets for connecting said frame to the tractor power-lifted hitch links, whereby the transporting height of the rake is controllable by said hitch links.

3. In a side delivery rake for use with a tractor having power-lifted hitch links, a frame comprising a unitary piece of tubing bent into a generally U-shaped configuration in a horizontal plane and having its bight portion disposed forwardly, the trailing ends of said tubing being deformed downwardly to a generally vertical position, a bearing sleeve threadably mounted in each of said trailing ends for vertical adjustment relative thereto, a pair of wheel brackets having cylindrical portions respectively journaled in said bearing sleeves for swiveling movements, a pair of wheels respectively journaled on said wheel brackets, a pair of spaced brackets secured to said bight portion of said tubing, and hitch points on said brackets for connecting said frame to the tractor power-lifted hitch links, whereby the transporting height of the rake is controllable by said hitch links.

i. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein the threaded portion of each of said bearing sleeves extends below said corresponding tubing end, and lock nut means cooperating therewith.

5. In a side delivery rake having a frame and a raking reel rotatably mounted on said frame, a crop stripper rotatably mounted on said frame adjacent said raking reel and on an axis generally parallel to said reel, said crop stripper comprising a unitary element of Z-shaped cross section symmetrically disposed relative to the axis of rotation.

6. In a side delivery rake for use with a tractor having power-lifted hitch links, a frame comprising a unitary piece of tubing bent into a generally U-shaped configuration in a horizontal plane and having its bight portion disposed forwardly, the trailing ends of said tubing being deformed downwardly to a generally vertical position, a wheel mounting threadably secured in each of said trailing ends for vertical adjustment relative thereto, a wheel mounting, a pair of spaced brackets secured to said bight portion of said frame, and hitch points on said brackets for connecting said frame to said power-lifted hitch links, whereby the transporting height of the rake is controllable by said hitch links, a first bearing means on one of said trailing ends for References Cited in the file of this patent supporting one end of a raking reel and a second UNITED STATES PATENTS bearmg means secured to a medial portion of the other arm of said frame for supporting the Nmnber Name Date other end of a raking reel, a third bearing means 5 8381546 F May 1908 on one of said trailing ends for supporting one 11034357 Bermg et 1912 end of a rotatable crop stripping element, and 2,451,402 Myers 12, 1943 a fourth bearing means secured to a medial por- 2397317 Bowman 1950 tion of the other arm of said frame for sup- 2,498,650 Cram. 1 1950 2,597,828 Spurlm May 20, 1952 porting the other end of a rotatable crop strip- 1 ping element. 

